The Associations between Suicidal Ideation and Attempt and Anxiety Symptoms and the Demographic, Psychological, and Social Moderators in Taiwanese Adolescents

Abstract

The objectives of this study were to examine the associations between suicidal ideation and attempt and anxiety symptoms and the moderators in 5,027 Taiwanese adolescents. The associations between suicidal ideation and attempt and anxiety symptoms on the Taiwanese version of the Multidimensional Anxiety Scale for Children (MASC-T) were examined using logistic regression analysis. The moderating effects of demographic (gender and age), psychological (problematic alcohol use, severe depressive symptoms, and low self-esteem), and social factors (bullying victimization, and low family function) on the associations were examined. Adolescents who had anxiety symptoms were more likely to have suicidal ideation and attempt than those who did not have anxiety symptoms. Bullying victimization had a moderating effect on the association between suicidal ideation and anxiety symptoms. Assessment of suicidal ideation and attempt should be routine practice among adolescents who present with anxiety symptoms.

Keywords:

• adolescent
• anxiety
• moderator
• multidimensional anxiety scale for children
• suicidal attempt
• suicidal ideation

Notes

Note..

^a Only variables of interaction are shown.

*: <.05;.

**:<.01;.

***:<.001.

Note..

^a Only variables of interaction are shown.

*:<.05;.

***:<.001.

Dr. CF Yen and Dr. CY Lai contributed equally to this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Cheng-Fang Yen

Cheng-Fang Yen, Department of Psychiatry, and Faculty of Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Chien-Yu Lai

Chien-Yu Lai, School of Nursing, College of Nursing, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Chih-Hung Ko

Chih-Hung Ko, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Tai-Ling Liu

Tai-Ling Liu, Department of Psychiatry, Kaohsiung Medical University Hospital Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Tze-Chun Tang

Tze-Chun Tang, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

Yu-Yu Wu

Yu-Yu Wu, YuNing Psychiatric Clinic, Taiwan.

Pinchen Yang

Pinchen Yang, Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, and Graduate Institute of Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.